SK teachers cast vote of no confidence

September 2, 2011

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Although NEA-South Kingstown and the school committee came to an agreement on the collective bargaining agreement for teachers Tuesday, Aug. 17, the teacher’s union was still unsatisfied. The teachers expressed that dissatisfaction Tuesday with a single vote, a vote of no confidence for South Kingstown School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Stringfellow.

“A motion was made and seconded with great discussion for a vote of no confidence against the Superintendent based on lack of leadership. That vote was passed,” NEA-SK President Christine Heid said.

The vote took place at the general union membership meeting, which is always held on the first day of school. Heid said many of the teachers had many concerns, but she could not go into detail on what those concerns were until she met with Stringfellow and School Committee Chairperson Maureen Cotter. She did say, however, that she met with them Tuesday after the vote was taken to inform them of the teachers’ decision.

“This is unchartered territory for me. In my 20 years of teaching, I’ve never had a vote of no confidence,” Heid said. “This is not legal action. Hopefully it’s a vehicle to make [Stringfellow] aware of the concerns of the membership.”

Heid said the vote was based on educational leadership and not fiscal woes.

“There was no mention of being disgruntled about our contract. There was nothing fiscal. The concerns were all for wanting better academics,” Heid said.